This type of blender is a u-shaped trough with a horizontal agitator inside. These machines use paddles on a shaft to agitate and mix product. Some blenders have release valves under the trough while some troughs tilt to dump their contents. Paddle blenders are commonly used for for mixing dry powders, and mixing liquids into a dry mixture. Paddle blenders are one of the slowest types of mixers, working slowly to create a consistent product.